Balak and Balaam: When Greed and Sorcery Tried to Curse God’s People. Numbers 22–24 reads like a dramatic thriller—complete with political intrigue, supernatural visions, and a talking donkey. Balak, king of Moab, hired the pagan seer Balaam to curse Israel. Instead, Balaam blessed God’s people and even predicted the Messiah. This narrative unmasks greed and spiritual manipulation, while highlighting God’s unstoppable purpose.